Card Holder

ABSTRACT

A card box having an elongated bottom section having a substantia; u-shape and a conforming elongated cover having a substantial inverted u-shape and a first and second support leg inserted into slots at each end of the bottom side of the elongated bottom section with at least one tab on a first support leg for insertion into a corresponding slot on one side of the bottom section and at least one tab on a second support leg for insertion into a corresponding slot on another side of the bottom section to limit movement of the support legs within the bottom section.

CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application claims priority to provisional patent application No. 62/909,332 filed Oct. 2, 2019, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to the field of receptacles and in particular a card box for holding cards for convenient scrolling and a cover for maintaining the order of the cards and preventing the cards from becoming out of order.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cards can be placed in a variety of receptacles. It is known to place cards in a receptacle to keep the cards in a particular order. One such receptacle is the box to hold cards such as playing cards, where such box or package keeps the cards stacked in a tight pile. Another such receptacle may be a covered box that can be hinged that can keep the cards within the receptacle. These types of boxes, however, do not allow a user to easily scroll through the cards and maintain a particular order of the cards. Moreover, such covered boxes that are not sized according to the particular card size allow the cards to be arranged loosely within the box, which promotes disorder of the cards. What is needed is a box or holder that maintains the cards in a position in which they are readily turnable or scrollable while maintaining the order of the cards and allowing the user to return to a prior position within the plurality of cards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a card box that serves as a holder for cards developed to initiate self-awareness and self-improvement through thought-provoking prompts and questions. The configuration of the box allows for easy access to the cards by lifting the lid and provides easy maneuvering from card to card as the user moves through the ordered sequence of cards. The box of the present invention serves as an organizational tool for the cards so that they are kept in order and remain contained for the consumer.

The box comprises a pair of angled leg structures, having a lower section that extends below and through the box bottom platform to provide stability of the box while the user pages through cards. The angled leg structures have an upper section that extends above the box bottom platform. Each upper section of the leg structure serves as a support for the cards that are situated between the two upper sections. Based on the configuration the cards placed within the upper section of each leg structure provides spacing between the upper side of cards vertically situated therein. This permits the user to flip or scroll through the cards to a card of interest without having to remove the card to view its contents.

The presently described box further comprises a lid that securely fits over the base of the card box. The card box comprises a bottom platform through which the leg structure passes and sides that extend upward from the bottom platform. In one embodiment, each leg structure includes a tab on at least one side edge of the upper section of the leg structure. The tabs fit into a corresponding slot in the associated side of the box bottom compartment. This tab and slot configuration maintains the position of the leg structure securely, which keeps the box solidly configured when the user scrolls through cards within the upper section of the leg structures. The tabs disposed on the edge of the leg structures and their corresponding slots in the sides of the bottom section serve to limit the extent to which the support legs may penetrate the slots in the bottom side of the bottom section.

The lid comprises a pair of slots that correspond to diagonally opposed tabs of the upper section of the leg structures described above. Corresponding to the other diagonally opposed tabs are notches on the lower edge of the lid. The notches allow the lid to be securely placed over the box bottom compartment and then removed by the user in order to access the cards.

The presently described card box can be constructed from metal, stainless steel, wood or plastic through an injection molding process or other process known in the art, or a combination of these materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and photographs, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the bottom section of the presently described card box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a first side view of the bottom section of the presently described card box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a second side view of the bottom section of the presently described card box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a first end view of the bottom section of the presently described card box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a second end view of the bottom section of the presently described card box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the bottom section and lid of the presently described card box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a first side view of the bottom section and lid of the presently described card box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a second side view of the bottom section and lid of the presently described card box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9A depicts a plain view of components of the presently described card box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9B depicts a plain view of components of the presently described card box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a bottom section of the presently described card box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of a lid of the presently described card box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of an assembled bottom section of the presently described card box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of an assembled bottom section of the presently described card box and lid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE. EMBODIMENTS

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the present embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention nay be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments and that they are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention.

Several embodiments of Applicant's invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, like elements will be identified by identical numbers throughout all figures. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the bottom section of the presently described card box according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, card box 100 comprises bottom box platform 130 from which sides 102 and 108 extend in an upward direction. This combination of bottom platform 130 and sides 102 and 108 in one embodiment form a squared U-shape channel 140. Positioned at opposite ends of channel 140 are first angled leg structure 104 and second angled leg structure 106. Each leg structure extends through a slot 132 and 134 in bottom platform 130 and includes an upper section includes an upper section 105 and 107 that extends above bottom platform 130. Each leg structure 104 and 106 further comprises a lower section 119 and 121 that extend below bottom platform 130. Lower sections 119 and 121 serve as the leg portions of leg structures 104 and 106 that come into contact with the surface on which card box 100 is placed. For additional stability, in one embodiment lower section 119 and 121 include an angled foot 118 and 120. Lower sections 119 and 121 are sufficiently spaced from one another in order to provide stability and avoid the box tipping to the side when touched by the user to maneuver cards placed in the box.

The interior compartment formed by bottom platform 130, sides 102 and 108 and upper sections 105 and 107 of leg structures 104 and 106 conveniently and securely holds cards sized with an approximate height and width of upper section 105 and 107 of leg structures 104 and 106. The fanned configuration of the interior compartment so formed, that is of an inverted trapezoid, lends itself to placement of a plurality of appropriate sized cards in the compartment in an arrangement that fully occupies the interior compartment so that the cards stand substantially vertically. At the same time, the user is able to leaf or scroll through cards, even one at a time, in order to read the card's contents without necessarily removing the card. This enables the user to maintain the cards in a particular order and proceed, for example, on a one-card-per-day schedule without losing one's place. The raised sides 102 and 108 in conjunction with upper sections 105 and 107 of leg structures 104 and 106 provide a tailored compartment for the cards that allow the cards to remain tightly within the compartment while box 100 may be moved or covered.

Also shown in FIG. 1 are tabs 110 and 112 extending form upper section 105 and 107 of leg structures 104 and 106. These tabs cause upper sections 105 and 107 to be secures situated between sides 102 and 108. Tabs 110 and 112 fit into corresponding slots 114 and 116. As will be discussed, tabs 110 and 112 also facilitate secure placement of the lid over the lower half of box 100.

FIGS. 2 and 3 depict opposite side views of box 100. As shown, in FIG. 2, side 102 of box 100 is a long side with slots 114 and 116 placed approximate to either end of side 102. As shown, leg structures 104 and 106 are each angled at an obtuse angle in relation to and above bottom platform 130. Upper sections 105 and 107 of leg structures 104 and 106 rise above top edge of side 102 and lower sections 119 and 121 of leg structures 104 and 106 extend below bottom platform 130. Leg structures 104 and 106 are secured to side 102 by tabs 110 and 112 that extend laterally from leg structures 104 and 106 and inserted into slots 114 and 116.

FIG. 3 depicts the opposite side of the lower half of box 100 as depicted in FIG. 2. As shown, in FIG. 3, side 108 of box 100 is a long side with slots 314 and 316 placed approximate to either end of side 108. As shown, leg structures 104 and 106 are each angled at an obtuse angle in relation to and above bottom platform 130. Upper sections 105 and 107 of leg structures 104 and 106 rise above top edge of side 108 and lower sections 119 and 121 of leg structures 104 and 106 extend below bottom platform 130. Leg structures 104 and 106 are secured to side 108 by tabs 310 and 312 that extend laterally from leg structures 104 and 106 and inserted in slots 314 and 316.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict opposite end views of box 100. As shown in FIG. 4, sides 102 and 108 extend form bottom platform 103 and form a u-shaped channel in which cards can be placed. Leg structures 104 and 106 include upper sections 105 and 107 and lower sections 119 and 121. Tabs 110 and 310 extend laterally from sides 102 and 108 at one end of box 110 (FIG. 4) and tabs 112 and 312 extend laterally from sides 102 and 108 at the other end of box 110 (FIG. 5).

FIG. 6 depicts lid 602 of box 100. Lid 602 is sized to fit snugly over the u-shaped channel 140 formed from the sides and bottom platform of box 100. In one embodiment, lid 602 comprises a lid top 610 and lid sides 620 and 630 to form in inverted u-shaped lid. At one end of lid side 620 is a slot 606 for receiving tab 112 that extends laterally from lower box side 108. At the opposite end of lid side 620 is a notch 604 for receiving tab 110 that extends laterally from lower box side 108. Notch 604 allows for easily and securely closing box 100 with lid 602 and removing lid 602 when necessary.

FIGS. 7 and 8 depict opposite long side views of box 100 with lid 602 covering the bottom section of box 100. As shown, top 610 and sides 620 and 630 form lid 602. With notches 604 and 614 at diagonally opposed ends of sides 620 and 630 and slots 606 and 616 at diagonally opposed ends of sides 620 and 630. When lid 602 is placed over bottom section of box 100, cards residing in the inverted trapezoid shaped compartment formed by upper sections 105 and 107 of leg structures 104 and 106 and bottom platform 103 are secure. That is, upon movement of box 100, cards between upper sections 105 and 107 will not fall out of order in relation to other cards and will not otherwise leave the inverted trapezoid shaped compartment. This promotes effective and continuous use by the user of daily or periodic self-improvement and life-coaching cards for long periods of time.

FIGS. 9-13 depict another embodiment of presently described card box. FIG. 9A depicts an embodiment of leg structure 904. First leg structure 904 comprises, in one embodiment, first angled foot 918, first upper notch pair 950 and first lower notch pair 924.

Leg structure 904 includes a lower portion that is partially tapered. First upper notch pair 950 and first lower notch pair 924 are located on the vertical edges of first leg structure 904. On the upper horizontal edge of first leg structure 904 is first upper tab 930.

FIG. 9B depicts an embodiment of a second leg structure 906. Second leg structure 906, in one embodiment, comprises second angled foot 920, second upper notch pair 960 and second lower notch pair 926. Second leg structure 906 includes a lower portion that is partially tapered. Second upper notch pair 960 and second lower notch pair 926 are located on the vertical edges of second leg structure 906. On the upper horizontal edge of second leg structure 906 is second upper tab 940. First leg structure 904 and second leg structure 906 are shaped to be received by box bottom half 1001 as shown in FIG. 10.

In FIG. 10, box bottom half 1001 comprises a first side 1002, a second side 1008, and a bottom deck 1003. First side 1002, second side 1008 and bottom deck 1003 together form a u-shaped channel for holding cards shaped approximately equal to the dimensions of the channel to fit snuggly, but removably, in the channel Box bottom half 1001 further comprises a first upper slot pair 1010, a first lower slot pair 1020, a second upper slot pair 1030 and a second lower slot pair 1040.

First upper slot pair 1010 corresponds to and is located and sized to slidably receive first upper notch pair 950 of first leg structure 904. First lower slot pair 1020 corresponds to and is located to receive first lower notch pair 924 of first leg structure 904. Second upper slot pair 1030 corresponds to and is located and sized to slidably receive second upper notch pair 960 of second leg structure 906. Second lower slot pair 1040 corresponds to and is located to receive second lower notch pair 926 of second leg structure 906. First leg structure 904 and second leg structure 906 are installed in box bottom half 1001 through bottom deck 1003 via bottom slots 1004 and 1005 located at each end of bottom deck 1003.

As shown in FIG. 12, first leg structure 904 and second leg structure 906 are inserted into box bottom half 1001 by engaging first upper notch pair 950 and first lower notch pair 924 with first upper slot pair 1010 and first lower slot pair 1020. First upper slot pair 1010 penetrates the upper edge at one end of first side 1002 and at one end of second side 1008. Similarly, second upper slot pair 1030 penetrates the upper edge of the other end of first side 1002 and at the other end of second side 1008. As shown in FIG. 12, the combination of first leg structure 904, second leg structure 906, first side 1002, second side 1008 and bottom deck 1003 form an inverted trapezoid shaped compartment for holding a plurality of cards in a manner in which the cards are secure within the compartment yet may be easily paged through by the user.

FIG. 11, depicts a lid 1101 according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Lid 1101 comprises a first lid side 1102, a second lid side 1104 and a lid top 1103. At diagonally opposite sides of lid top 1103 are lid notches 1110 and 1112.

FIG. 13 depicts an embodiment of a fully assembled card box according to the present invention. In FIG. 13, lid 1101 is sized to snugly fit over box bottom half 1001 to keep cards secured within The first lid notch 1112 is sized and located to engage first upper tab 930 when lid 1101 is placed over box bottom half 1001. The second lid notch 1110 is sized and located to engage second upper tab 940 when lid 1101 is placed over box bottom half 1001. Through these lid notches and upper tabs, lid 1101 is secured in place over box bottom half 1001 to prevent sliding of lid 1101 off of box bottom half 1001 that will cause disturbance of cards within the card box. Angled feet 918 and 920 provide a secured base for covered box and are separated at a distance sufficient to prevent tipping when used by the user.

A card box containing a plurality of cards. As shown, the plurality of cards fit securely, laterally within the lower half (u-shaped channel) of the presently described card box. Yet the inverted trapezoid shape of formed from the leg structures engaged at an obtuse angle in comparison with the bottom deck of the lower half of the box and the sides of the lower half enable the user to easily scroll or page through the cards and read each cards text without forcibly removing the card as one would from a tightly stacked deck. At the same time, the slotted and notched lid can be securely placed over the box bottom half This allows the cards to remain in the same order and place as last used without falling out of order and without the user losing his or her place. Maintenance of the order of cards and allowing the user to pick up where he or she left off is of particular importance when the relevant cards initiate self-awareness and self-improvement through thought-provoking prompts and questions for the user.

While the disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to one or more particular implementations, these implementations are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many modifications and alterations to the disclosed embodiments are available. Therefore, each of the foregoing embodiments and obvious variants thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosed inventions.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A card box, comprising: an elongated bottom section having a first side, a second side and a bottom side; an elongated cover having a first side, a second side and a top side conforming with the elongated bottom section; a first support leg for insertion into a first slot disposed in a first end of the bottom side of the elongated bottom section; and a second support leg for insertion into a second slot disposed in a second end of the bottom side of the elongated bottom section.
 2. The card box of claim 1, further comprising a first tab disposed on a first edge of the first support leg for insertion in a first angled slot in the first side of the elongated bottom section.
 3. The card box of claim 2, further comprising a second tab disposed on a first edge of the second support leg for insertion in a second angled slot in the first side of the elongated bottom section.
 4. The card box of claim 3, further comprising a third tab disposed on a second edge of the first support leg for insertion in a first angled slot in the second side of the elongated bottom section.
 5. The card box of claim 4, further comprising a fourth tab disposed on a second edge of the second support leg for insertion in a second angled slot in the second side of the elongated bottom section.
 6. The card box of claim 2, wherein the first tab and the first angled slot in the first side of the elongated bottom section limit penetration of the first support leg into the first slot of the elongated bottom section.
 7. The card box of claim 3, wherein the second tab and the second angled slot in the first side of the elongated bottom section limit penetration of the second support leg into the second slot of the elongated bottom section.
 8. The car box of claim 4, wherein the third tab and the first angled slot in the second side of the elongated bottom section limit penetration of the first support leg into the first slot of the elongated bottom section.
 9. The card box of claim 5, wherein the fourth tab and the second angled slot in the first side of the elongated bottom section limit penetration of the second support leg into the second slot of the elongated bottom section.
 10. The card box of claim 1, wherein an angle formed between the bottom side of the elongated bottom section and the first support leg is approximately forty-five degrees.
 11. The card box of claim 1, wherein an angle formed between the bottom side of the elongated bottom section and the second support leg is approximately forty-five degrees.
 12. The card box of claim 2, further comprising a first notch disposed on the first side of the elongated cover for receipt of the first tab.
 13. The card box of claim 5, further comprising a second notch disposed on the second side of the elongated cover for receipt of the fourth tab.
 14. The card box of claim 1, further comprising a first foot extending in an upward direction from a distal end of the first support leg.
 15. The card box of claim 1, further comprising a second foot extending in an upward direction from a distal end of the second support leg.
 16. The card box of claim 1, further comprising a tab on a top edge of the first support leg for securing the elongated cover on the elongated bottom section.
 17. The card box of claim 16, further comprising a second tab on a top edge of the second support leg for securing the elongated cover on the elongated bottom section.
 18. The card box of claim 1, wherein the elongated cover and the elongated bottom section are made of a material from a group consisting of metal, stainless steel, wood or plastic. 